The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-14
BAD BETTE BENNETT.

At least the real tact OF the case Is
that it is all very immoral. But
that's neither here nor there.
had been watching the play some
time-I, generally looked upon by the
fortunate Others as an old maiden
lady probably without experience,
and certainly without hope. The
play went on Mt the seaside; serious
play, for the stakes were high, high as
when some Old Eastern potentate
risks his lovely Circassian girl, body
and soul, to his antagonist. The
players were not Eastern potentates,
but all the same, lovely girls, body
and soul, were the stakes. |
used to think OF it when saw Laura
Stockwood, that stately beauty, and
Jeanette Dean, the dashing one, and
Caro-, and Elsa, and Edith, and the
rest. And among the rest could one
forget Bette Bennett? She was not
person TO allow hergelf to be forgot
ten.
And yet you did not understand
what 1t all meant, this furcr about
her She was not a beauty; she had
40 accomplishments to speak OIL she
was not an heiress. But she had every
thing her own way the summer
through. Ityou had to describe her
you would say she was dark and
slender little person, with arch ways
and the gayest laugh in the world;
and that would be all there was
about it. All there was about 1t?
o, not in the least In the first place
there was the readest wit, the great
est good.nature, the most perfect
grace In the next place, there we're
the most wonderful toilets.
"Well," | said to her. after a week
or so, as she rested by me a moment,
ait must cost all of fortune to dress
you. don't see where you get it,"
$50 it does" she said, with encour-
aging frankness. "Take my toilets,
and gloves, and boots, and folderols,
and all, and the interest OF it would
take care of one poor person for llie
Isn't it wicked?" and she looked at
me with irresistible drollery.
Eyes, | Think it is ;" said |. For |
had known Miss Bette OF old, and
knew that il she got through this sum-
mer alive she wouldn't have one pen
ny left.
And the worst OF it is" continued
she, chat when you think you have
enough for queen you find you've
only made start, and have to keep
ordering more Peisser and from Bob.
binet and the others. 1t won't do to
be suspected OF any tarnish. You
must de fresh or nothing. Why, Pm
in debt up to my eyes"
"Bettie, | don't know what you
can think OF yourself" | said, in con-
sternation. "You have nothing to
pay with. It's dishonest-it's-it's
swindling."
"No it isn't. It's business. If |
carry out my plans my pin.money
next year will pay my bad debts"
And il you don't"
"Well, then they can havethe things
back"
"Bettie!"
ITO look out for that is more
trouble than can take, with all the
rest that have. Pm in forsit. And
I've got to be success
Bette, il people knew about you,
you'd be anything but n success.
~ don't intend they shall And it's
pity ii can't trust you"
You can-you can. don't APP
prove of you. If you were content to
sit still, as do, in one or two gowns,
ana see the show go by"
"And let somebody else marry MIR.
Dunrobinl No, thank you. I'm not
content. But | shouldn't have gone
into this extravagance-it makes my
very soul ache to see those gowns-if
were not Obliged to be all the time Oh
evidence
al don't really see the need OF that
II do. Ii you'Ie to be a success
Ard didn't come here to go home
again. And / came here not only tc
rule this summer, but to have my rul,
remembered in all summers to come, u
Noble ambition"
lit isn't ambition, ! tell you; it''
business"
but, Bette you're not a beauty
so much The more to my glory"
-'You ridiculous midget
"Shc's little but she's shrewd." Ane
,a she sped as young Pennycastl!
anne along for an hour ut tennis; ano
saw her coming back in time sur
rounded by an awkward squad o